Take Me Now (The Knight Brothers Book 5)

  Take Me Now

  A Short Story

  CARLY PHILLIPS

  Copyright © Karen Drogin, CP Publishing 2019

  Kindle Edition

  Cover Photo: Sara Eirew

  Cover Design: Letitia Hasser, RB Designs

  * * *

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form by any means without the prior written consent of the Publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  He acts like he barely knows her.

  But she knows he’s the one.

  Matt Banks was ready to tell Harper Sanders that he loved her, that he’d always loved her and that even though they were young, she was his forever girl.

  Then her brother stepped in, wanting more for his sister than a garage owner. Too young to stand up for himself, Matt made her brother a promise that he’s regretted every day since.

  After years of being ignored by the guy she’s always loved, Harper is on a dating binge. No one is Matt, but a girl can keep on trying. Then she gets stranded on the side of the road, and she has no choice but to call the only mechanic in town.

  Matt comes to her rescue, and then to her bed. It’s an idyllic, passion-filled weekend—but there’s still the matter of his promise. And a man’s word is his bond.

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  About the Short Story

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Keep Up with Carly

  About the Author

  Chapter One

  Harper Sanders had gone on her last date ever. Blind, online, swipe right, introduction by a well-meaning friend, none of the attempts at finding a man she was attracted to worked. None of the dates had accomplished her one and only goal.

  Getting Matt Banks out of her head and her heart.

  She’d lived in Montlake, Colorado her entire life. She knew everyone and everyone knew her. In fact, she and Matt had grown up together, from preschool through elementary, middle and high school. They’d been friends, too. Good friends, she’d thought, even if she’d been more than a little in love with him. They hung out in school, after school. He knew her likes and dislikes. She’d suffered through him dating other girls and her going out with guys. Neither of them had ever made a move despite the fact that there had been times she believed he might reciprocate her feelings. But she’d held onto hope that one day they’d become adults who acknowledged their feelings.

  Then she’d gone away to college, and when she’d returned home? Matt had been a stranger, one who wanted nothing to do with her. She’d pined for years, but lately, she’d decided to put herself out there with other men. Her best friend getting married had spurred her desire to find true love for herself, too.

  Yet despite date after unsuccessful date, nobody lit her fire the way Matt did. It didn’t help that she had to see him often, given her coffee shop was located across the street from his garage. That he came into her place often for his coffee. Still, she’d made the attempt to get over him. The large man with his tousled brown hair and sexy blue bedroom eyes that looked at everyone but her.

  Last night she’d ended things with what she’d decided was her last attempt at finding a man. Rich Jonas, a new-in-town lawyer had been … odd to say the least. She’d given him the same three-date minimum she had most of the guys she tried to go out with, hoping that by getting to know them better, she’d find herself interested. But Rich and his too-eager personality had turned her off instead of on.

  She’d given him the old ‘it’s not you it’s me’ speech. In reality, he just wasn’t Matt. And she’d have to see him often, too. Because he, too, came into the coffee shop a lot.

  Small towns, she thought, blowing out a puff of air that hovered in a cloud thanks to the freezing temperatures. She let herself into Harper and Em’s Bake and Brew, the shop she’d opened with her best friend and a woman Matt had not only dated but actively pursued upon Emily’s move to town.

  For years now, it was as if Harper didn’t exist for him as anything other than a woman he looked right through – unless he was servicing her car, or she was handing him his coffee multiple times a day. Strong, dark, one sugar, she thought, because of course, she had his order memorized. And it frustrated the hell out of her.

  “Are you ready to leave on your trip?” Emily asked, greeting her from behind the counter.

  Emily always arrived extra early to bake her muffins and cake slices for the morning crowd, leaving her husband, Parker, in their warm bed. He, in turn, took care of their baby daughter, Jillian, until Emily returned home so he could go to his place of business. A babysitter came in later so Emily could work the afternoon shift with Harper. It was the perfect situation, and Harper was envious of her friend’s life. She was happy for her, too, but Harper wanted a family of her own.

  “Car’s packed,” she replied. “I’m really looking forward to this weekend.”

  She was off to Denver for a coffee class in Latte Art, a hands-on experience in foam design. She’d also enrolled in an Alternative Brewing class, which would expose her to different kinds of brewing equipment and their range of “single origins.” Learning about farms that specialized in one type of coffee would help her carry more exclusive brands.

  Considering the nearby skiing brought in tourists over the winter seeking unique experiences, she knew these classes would help her expand their clientele, even in their tiny town. Emily’s dad owned the Ruby Rose Inn, named after his deceased wife / Emily’s mom. Recently renovated and expanded, they were advertising far and wide for more upscale customers. Customers who would come into town for Emily’s fabulous baked goods and Harper’s unique blends of coffee.

  Emily smiled. “You deserve some fun. Go, learn new skills, and enjoy.” The timer sounded in the kitchen and Emily darted back inside to see to her baked goods.

  Harper couldn’t hate her willowy blonde friend. She’d gone out with Matt not knowing Harper still had a thing for the man because she’d kept her feelings to herself. And Emily had ended things because of her relationship with her now-husband, who’d been staying at her father’s Bed and Breakfast. Emily had also realized that Harper had feelings for Matt, and she’d never knowingly hurt her close friend.

  She and Emily couldn’t be more different, Harper with her dark hair, wide hips and bigger frame, Emily with her soft blonde hair, lithe body, and beautiful face. But Harper loved her best friend.

  “Bye, Em! See you Monday!” Harper called out.

  “Bye! Text me!”

  The noise of pans and tins falling sounded from the kitchen and Harper laughed as she walked out of the shop and headed to her car parked on the street.

  As she opened the door to her car, her gaze drifted across the street where Matt stood in front of the open double garage doors, wiping his hands on what looked like an old greasy rag. When she realized she even found that action sexy, she knew she had a problem.

  Jerking her stare away, she climbed into her navy compact car, settling herself in for the three-hour drive. She ran through everything she’d packed, and certain she was set, she put the key in the ignition and turned it on. The car chugged to life, making an unusual sound that she’d never heard before.

  Instinct had her looking Matt’s way only to see him watching her, a frown on
his handsome, bearded face.

  “Dammit.” She shut the motor off and tried again … and heard the same noise.

  Though it made sense to let Matt check things out, checking meant her seeing him, seeing him meant her talking to him, talking to him meant listening to him grunt as if he was merely tolerating what she had to say until he finished his job.

  No thank you.

  She let the car run for a few long seconds, relieved when the vehicle mellowed out and sounded normal once more. Unable to help herself, she looked across the street again.

  Matt had started to walk towards her. Of course, he was worried about her car, she thought. Annoyed by the prospect that it took a motor problem to get him to come to her, she put her vehicle in drive and pulled away, leaving him in the middle of the street, staring at her taillights as she disappeared from view.

  She’d barely covered one block when her cell phone rang. She glanced down to see his business name flash on the screen. Although they weren’t friends per se, he was the only garage in town, so of course, he had her number.

  She answered on speaker. “What?” she asked, knowing she was being rude and her parents had taught her better.

  “I don’t like the sound of your car, Harper. Why don’t you turn around and let me take a look at the engine before you leave for the weekend,” Matt said.

  She frowned, ignoring the trip of her heart at the sound of her name on his lips. “How do you know I’m going away?”

  “Your uncle mentioned it when he was in the shop with his truck.” Her retired uncle used to own the hardware store before selling to a man about ten years older than Harper who had moved to the area with his family.

  Small town and uncle with loose lips, she thought, her ire building. “I’m on a tight schedule. There’s a late lunch with other shop owners I want to make it to.”

  Matt muttered something to himself and she thought she heard the word stubborn in there. “Then promise you’ll call me if you have a problem.”

  “Yeah, okay. Thanks,” she said, softening her tone. It wasn’t his fault he didn’t reciprocate her feelings.

  “Have a good trip,” he said in a gruff voice before disconnecting the call.

  She’d have a great trip if she could put all these feelings behind her. She couldn’t deny his good manners or caring personality. Would she be so crazy for him otherwise? But he didn’t see her, he never had. And that truth only fed into the insecurities she’d possessed ever since she realized she was bigger than the other girls, and when her curves had developed at an earlier pace and had been much more pronounced than her friends.

  She tried not to wonder whether that was why Matt wasn’t interested in her, but she’d also dated enough men to know she was a pretty enough woman with a personality they’d enjoyed.

  It’s not you, it’s me. The line she’d used to end more than last night’s relationship. And that’s what Matt would probably say to her if confronted with the fact that Harper wanted him.

  She wanted his muscular arms wrapped around her and his full lips coming down hard on hers. She yearned to feel the scratch of his beard on her cheeks and between her thighs. In fact, she desired him to the point where she had full-on erotic dreams starring the man. She wriggled uncomfortably in her seat, her body coming to life at the thought of being with Matt.

  But thoughts and dreams were all she’d ever have.

  Maybe she’d meet a guy on this trip, she mused, in an attempt to be more optimistic and to lighten her mood. A sexy barista who shared her love of coffee and classic rock and who found her curves the hottest thing he’d ever seen.

  And on that hopeful thought, she smiled and put Matt Banks in her rearview mirror, at least for now.

  * * *

  “Dammit.” Matt Banks slammed his cell phone onto the counter, lucky he didn’t break the screen. Harper Sanders drove him mad.

  Or maybe he was just mad at himself for the distance he kept between them. Distance he’d promised to maintain, and Matt was a man of his word. Not wanting to think about why he stayed away from a woman he desired so badly, he ran a hand through his too-long hair and groaned when the memory of that day stayed with him. Her older brother, Noah, had been home on leave from the Marines, and he’d stopped by Matt’s garage that he’d inherited from his late father.

  Matt thought Noah had come to ask him to service his jeep that sat in the street while he’d been gone.

  Instead, the bulky soldier had stepped into Matt’s personal space. “I saw the way you were looking at my sister at the tavern last night.”

  Matt had been eyeing Harper.

  He always scoped out the gorgeous full-figured woman he’d been in love with forever. But they’d grown up together as friends. They’d been young. Neither made a move. Then she’d gone to college and he’d waited, knowing she’d be home for good one day, and he’d planned to act then. That time had come, and he’d been considering how he was going to ask her out, but she’d left with her friends before he could do it.

  “So?” He stood up to her brother.

  “So she can do better than a garage owner without an education, that’s what. And since I’m not around to make sure you keep your hands to yourself, I want your word you’ll leave my sister alone,” Noah said, his fists clenched as he made his point.

  In doing so, Noah had hit at the sore spot Matt never admitted to the world. His father died and he’d taken over the garage, giving up any dreams he’d had of higher education or being more than a guy who worked with his hands for a living. Over time, he realized he found running the business fulfilling, working on cars soothing to his peace of mind.

  But at the time? With the bigger man looming over him and Matt’s own insecurities new and in full force? Knowing that like him, Harper had lost her father only when she was much younger, her brother was like her male parent and role model. And he’d pointed out shortcomings in Matt he’d thought about himself.

  So he’d caved. “Yeah. Right. Whatever,” he’d muttered. “I’ll leave her alone.”

  And he had.

  Because his own father, someone he admired with all his heart and soul, had taught him a man’s word was his bond. He’d watched Harper from afar, and it was fucking pathetic. Especially lately, as she’d dated man after man, Matt wishing he could step up and claim her as his own. He wasn’t one to talk. He’d dated her best friend. Hell, he’d really pursued her, all in a misguided effort to get over Harper.

  He shook his head and his thoughts returned to more pressing matters. The sound her car had made as she drove out of town. He hoped like hell that noise wasn’t what he thought it was, or her serpentine belt was either going to break or already had. Which meant the car was destined to overheat, causing damage to the alternator, the radiator, and the steering pump, among other things. Which didn’t make sense since he’d inspected her car last month and it had passed.

  If it wouldn’t make him seem like a stalker, he’d jump into his truck and follow her route now. But he wasn’t one hundred percent certain where she was headed nor did he think she’d appreciate the tail. Which meant he’d better get busy finishing up his work for this afternoon because he fully expected a phone call when her car died and she ended up on the side of the road.

  Sure enough, the call came an hour later, and due to the grateful tone in Harper’s voice, he couldn’t bring himself to say I told you so.

  Instead, he closed up shop, stopped by his place to pick up a few things, and headed towards Denver. The word ‘opportunity’ had been floating through his head all day as he’d waited for her call. He’d made a promise to her brother when he was little more than a kid who merely thought he was an adult. A twenty-two-year-old forced to grow up fast but who hadn’t had enough experience to stand up for himself as a man.

  Matt had that experience now. He was a fully-grown man who knew what he wanted, what he deserved, and more importantly, what he could give to Harper. Even his father would forgive him for breaking this pr
omise because Roger Banks had believed in true love. Although Harper’s brother, who had retired from the Marines, now ran a gun shop in town, and would probably want to use one of those weapons on Matt after he defied him, Matt didn’t care.

  Fuck it. No Marine, regardless of the fact that he was Harper’s brother, was going to keep Matt from Harper any longer. The only obstacle to being with the woman he loved? Was that woman herself.

  Chapter Two

  Harper hated her stubbornness. She hated that Matt was right. And most of all, she hated that she’d had to call on him to rescue her. Sitting on the side of the road, her gloves on her hands, scarf around her neck, her jacket zipped up tight, she shivered, waiting for him to arrive and rescue her.

  She had too much time to think about the weekend she was now going to miss, how she’d really been looking forward to learning new foam techniques and making pretty hearts and squiggles in her customer’s cups. Not to mention a weekend to herself in Denver, no work, nothing to do but enjoy. Now she’d have to drive home in Matt’s tow truck with him muttering about how she could have saved them both the trouble by letting him check out her car before she left town.

  Expecting it to take at least an hour for him to arrive, she was shocked when he showed up forty-five minutes later, skidding to a stop behind her car in his Tahoe and not his tow truck.

  She opened her door just as he walked up to her side of the car. He wore his heavy parka. Her toes were frozen, her body almost numb. Just seeing him, his handsome face, and the worry in his brown eyes made her want to cry in relief.

  “Did you fly here?” she asked, half-jokingly.

  He looked down at her and a semi-smile lifted his sexy mouth. “No. Now, go get in my warm truck. Let me see what’s going on with your car.”

  Unwilling to argue after hearing the word warm, she rushed to his vehicle, climbed into the passenger seat and slammed her door shut. The inside smelled like musky man, like Matt, and she breathed in deep, savoring the scent before she whipped off her gloves and held her hands up to the hot air blowing from the vents.